1HSR&D Field Program for Mental Health, Veterans Affairs Medical Center and the Department of Psychiatry, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock 72114, USA.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Although previous research has described a high prevalence of psychiatric comorbidity among general medical and surgical patients, prevalence estimates based on diagnostic criteria and the assessment of health care outcomes including functional status has not been conducted for a broad range of psychiatric disorders.

RESULTS:

Of 1007 medical and surgical inpatients, almost half (46.6%) met lifetime criteria for at least 1 Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Revised Third Edition disorder, most commonly for alcohol abuse or dependence (32.5%), posttraumatic stress disorder (10.0%), and major depression or dysthymia (9.0%). Almost one fifth reported recent symptoms, most frequently for major depression or dysthymia (7.0%). Co-occurring psychiatric disorders were associated with substantial and significant (P<.001) impairment on all dimensions of functioning, with the greatest decrements observed in physical and emotional role functioning. Anxiety and mood disorders were associated with the most and somewhat similar reductions in functioning.

CONCLUSIONS:

The prevalence of co-occurring psychiatric disorders was substantial but consistent with other studies of populations receiving health services. Given the observed additional burden of psychiatric disorders on functioning in medically hospitalized patients, the study indicates the importance of identification and treatment of co-occurring psychiatric disorders in this high-risk and clinically challenging group of patients.